My personal theme for the year was Growth. While I could testify to the growth in my own life, I will endeavor to share and reflect on the growth that God has provided for IRSM. I am overwhelmed at the prospect of summarizing the blessings we are thankful for, at the close of this year, but it is a humbling honor to attempt our expression of gratitude as a ministry.
Snippets of memories flood my mind: Teaching laughter therapy to Ecuadorian women as an aspect of our spiritual health, then “leaping” for joy in giving thanks for the trials we face (2 Cor. 12) with women in Dallas... Both stand in contrast to the faces of women in Panama who understood all too well the pain of abuse I described. They clung to words of truth from the Bible about the loving way God longs for His daughters to be treated.
Single women missionaries resonated with the isolation felt by the woman who was healed from the issue of blood (Luke 8), as expressed in a monologue during one of the classes at a renewal retreat. Many other single women, and women of all ages and stages of life, on many occasions, appreciated the reminder of what it means to be content and complete, singly with God, through various classes during the year. Sharing the truth from my own life, “Single and Lovin’ It! (Mostly)” became a championing call for other single women seeking God’s will for their lives, not whatever the world wants for them. (Stay tuned for a book on that topic someday...)
The IRSM Board of Directors and I exchanged texts of excitement and rejoicing in the answered prayer when Brenda Brizendine applied, was interviewed, and then accepted the job of Assistant Director.
And I cannot express the joy of gathering most of the IRSM Team together for our first weekend meeting! Most IRSM Team members had never met personally. Board members had only worked together via video conference and corresponded with other team members via email. One funny story from the weekend and getting to meet face to face for the first time: After having only seen Katie Forbess, our Board President, as she appears on the computer screen for the meetings, another Board member’s first reaction to meeting her was, “You’re tall!”
The greater joy for the IRSM Team came from humbly rejoicing over all God has done since IRSM began in 2013 and dreaming together about what God is calling us to in the next five years. And during a break in the meeting, God blessed us with the testimony of Maria who “happened” to be passing by. A vivid example of God multiplying our efforts to equip women to equip others... Maria was baptized in March after witnessing the passion and commitment to God that her friend Fernanda radiated after her own baptism on February 14th. Fernanda had studied the Bible with me and with former intern, Mackenzie Lancaster. God is good!
I am grateful for Iron Rose Sister Prayer Warriors who have championed God’s vision for IRSM, even when I have felt overwhelmed or weak, and for Iron Rose Sisters who have served as iron sharpening iron, when I allowed the thorns in my life to hinder my growth as a beautiful rose in God’s kingdom.
I giggled in delight when an Iron Rose Sister from Tampa, Florida, called and told us about two Hispanic women who started attending the Ladies’ Bible Class in English because of our Bible study books available in both English and Spanish!
A smile that starts on my lips spreads quickly to my eyes every time I read an email from one of our Cuban sisters who has been touched by a blog post—arriving in her inbox at just the right moment when she most needed that encouragement, and knew someone else with whom she could share those truths from God’s Word: equipping to equip!
One more highlight for the year for me has been the number of women across at least six countries and five U.S. states that have specifically studied Who Has the Last Word? and have shared the impact it has made in their lives. Women who are giving God the last word and whose lives have been transformed by being equipped to Recognize the Lie, Replace the Lie with Truth, and Remember the Truth through Scripture.
Dozens more small groups across the Americas, representing hundreds of women in English, Spanish and bilingual contexts, have used IRSM Bible Study books as practical tools to be equipped to connect to God and one another more deeply. More than 1150 books have been sold, subsidized, or gifted in 2018. And we anticipate even more women equipped through these and other resources in 2019.
The God stories continue and I have more of them to share... but I will close with my gratefulness to YOU. In the midst of an overly-busy schedule this year, I have not been as communicative about all God has been doing in and through me over the recent months. Thank you for your patience. Thank you for your prayers. Thank you for your financial support. And thanks to many who are getting more involved, more equipped, and are spreading the word about ways IRSM can help equip even more women. If you can do me one more favor, please share this good news and our needs for 2019 with someone you know who is also passionate about the vision God has given us.
Humbly grateful,
M.
P.S. A great opportunity to express your appreciation for Iron Rose Sister Ministries is by spreading the word about #Giving2x2TuesdayIRSM, Tuesday, November 27. Help us equip women 2x2x2 as Paul taught Timothy in 2 Timothy 2:2. Find 2, 22 or 222 others to join us in this vision. More information is available on our Facebook page, including videos! Donations can be made there or on our website. Thank you!
#Giving2x2TuesdayIRSM #IronRoseSister #IRSM
